St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-07-14
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER
DECLINING to Attend the Grand Arm,
En~,,,x,c,euf Mt 81 T.oufs

Declining to Attend the Grand Army
Encampment at St. Louis.
The topic of the week in political
circles has been President Cleveland's
letter withdrawing his acceptance of
the invitation to meet the national en-
campment of the Grand Army to be
held in st. Louis. After giving ex-
preston to the pleasure with which
he had accepted the invitation coming
from both the Grand Army and the
city, he says:
Immediately upon the public an
nOuncement of the conclusion, express
siOns emanating from certain import
ant members of the grand army of the
republic, and increasing in volume and
virulence, constrained me to review
the acceptance of the invitations. The
expressions referred to go to the ex-
tent of declaring that L would be an
unwelcOme guest at the time and place
of the next annual encampment. This
statement is based, as we'll as | can
judge, upon certain official acts of mine
involving important interests, done
under the restraints and obligations of
my oath of Office, which do not appear
to accord with the wishes of some
members of the grand army of the re-
public.
These expressions, he thinks, cannot
be ignored, and continues
l beg you to understand that am
not conscious of any act of mine which
should make me fear to meet the grand
army of the republic, or any other as
semblage of my fellow citizens. The
account of my official stewardship is
always ready for presentation TO my
countrymen. l should not be frank if
[ failed to confess, while disclaiming
all resentment, that l have been hurt
by the unworthy and wantOn attacks
upon me growing out of the matter,
and the reckless manner in which my
actions and motives have been mis-
represented, both publicly and pri-
vately, for which, however, the grand
army of the republic, as body, is by
no means responsible.
The threat of personal violence and
harm, in case l undertake the trip in
question, which scores of misguided,
unbalanced men under the stimulation
of excited feeling have made, are not
even considered. Rather than aban
don my visit to the West and disap
point your citizens, might, if alone
was concerned, submit to the insult,
to which it is quite openly asserted
would be helplessly subjected if pre-
sent at the encampment but | should
bear with me there the peoples high
est Office, the dignity of which | must
protect, and | believe that neither the
grand army of the republic as an or
ganizatiOn nor anything like a MAORI
ty of it's members would ever encour
age any scandalous attack upon it. If,
however, among the membership of
this body there are some, as certainly
seems to be the case, determined to
denOunce me and my official acts at
the national encampment, L believe
they should be permitted to do so un-
restrained by my presence as guest
of this organization, or as a guest of
the hospitable city in which their
meeting is held.
A number of grand army posts have
signified their intention, am inform
ed, to remain away from the encamp-
ment in case | visit the city at that
time. Without considering the merit
of such excuse L feel that ought not
to be the cause of such non attendance.
The time and place of the encampment
were fixed long before my invitations
were received. Those desiring to par
ticipate in the proceedings should be
first regarded, had nothing should be
allowed to interiors with their inten-
ton.
1 cannot rid myself of the belief that
the least discord on this propitious Oc-
casion might retard the progress of the
sentiment of common Brotherhood
which the grand army of the republic
has so good an opportunity to increase
and foster. | certainly ought not to
be the cause of such discord in any
event or upon any pretexts. 1t seems
to me that you and the citizens of st.
Louis are entitled to this unreserved
statement of the conditions which
have constrained me to foregO my con-
templated visit and to withdraw my
acceptance to your invitation.
The letter closes with expressions of
good will toward the grand army.